“If these rumours of fees of seven thousand pounds or even more are true, many students will be deterred from going to university”, according to Professor Les Ebdon. Vice Chancellor of Bedford University, speaking to Policy Review TV at the Conservative Party conference. His view that this figure would be the tipping point was supported by Steve Smith, President of Universities UK who believes that most institutions will “raise fees a bit” but “not many at all will be able to go up to the 10 or wherever level that some press reports indicate might be permitted”.